Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
I wonder what the Dardanus from Greek mythology is like because there’s no way it’s like this. The people here look even more like they came out of a typical fantasy RPG than in any other city we’ve traveled through. I mean, seriously, there’s a bard playing a violin in the center of the market.
I need to let this go, but the part of me that spent half a semester as a world mythology major is having such a hard time with all this.
How did a world so rich and full come from people who were so lazy with their research?
Though, I guess Peripeteia is its own thing, and I have to give them one thing at least: the most visible mountain I can see from here is definitely Mount Ida, and it’s even more breathtaking than in photos.
My quest log updates the moment we set up Dolius’s table next to Cyrus.
I long for that “complete” notification and groan when it says, “Talk to Dolius about his feelings for Cyrus.” Just how stubborn is this guy?
It was abundantly clear to everyone this morning that they were digging each other.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we were witnessing the afterglow that comes from a night of sex.
I have to do it, though. My main quest here hasn’t even popped up yet, and I’m pretty sure it’s because I haven’t finished this one.
Fortunately, my companions know exactly what I need to do.
It’s a rescue mission, which is a nice change of pace from killing lady monsters and convincing people to give love a chance. Though the premise is disturbing.
Princess Idaea is fleeing home from the kingdom where she once lived with her husband. Something bad happened to her there, but when she brought justice to those who hurt her, it backfired. Now her husband wants her dead, and apparently, so does her dad.
What is it with this game and women? Why can’t I rescue a man or fend off a male monster? I’m so tired of it. If I ever get out of Legends of Sacrifice, I’m calling this bullshit out. They slack off on a ton of Greek mythology, history, and geography, but they got the sexism just right.
I stick around Dolius to help him ply his wares.
He’s told me several times already that I don’t have to.
I know I don’t. Honestly, I may even be holding him back from making more sales simply because I’m taking up space he needs to rummage through his merchandise.
But I need to talk to him, and that means I can’t let him out of my sight yet.
Fortunately, a brief lull in shoppers arrives, and Dolius relaxes a smidge. Now might be my one chance.
“So, uh…Cyrus is really nice,” I say.
Dolius nods as he tidies up his displays and puts more merchandise on his table. “Yes, he’s a good man.”
“Kinda handsome, too,” I continue.
“What do you mean?” Dolius asks, squinting at me. “Are you interested in a relationship with him?”
I laugh. “No, I feel like he’s not exactly interested in people like me.” I gesture at Dolius. “I think he’s more attracted to people like you.”
“Ah, I see,” Dolius says. “Well, I suppose so.”
“You suppose? Isn’t it obvious to you?”
Dolius returns his attention to his booth, fussing with the angle of a rather expensive-looking necklace. “Men sometimes find pleasure in each other, but it’s nothing serious.”
Jesus Fucking Christ. Is Dolius one of those dudes who thinks it’s not gay if it’s just a one-night stand? No wonder this quest isn’t complete yet.
“Dolius, stop,” I say. “Let’s be serious for a moment.”
“I am serious,” he says, huffing. “I have more important things to do than talk about who Cyrus wants.”
“No, you don’t,” I insist. I take his face in my hands and force him to look at me. “One day, you won’t be able to travel all over the world and ply your wares. One day, you’ll be old and need to rest, but you’ll have been so focused on work that you’ll be alone.”
“I enjoy working,” he says.
“Obviously,” I say, “but you don’t have to forgo deep relationships to be an ambitious merchant.
You don’t have to travel alone. Imagine if you could go from market to market with him.
” My hands are still on Dolius’s face, so I turn it so that he’s looking at Cyrus.
“Imagine that every night is like last night and every morning is like this one. Imagine sharing a booth and a passion for travel…sharing a bed that’s no longer cold. ”
Dolius’s face takes on a wistful expression. My words are making an impact. Is this the moment?
“Men can’t marry,” he says.
“Not by law, and that’s unfair.” I remove my hands from his face and place one palm over his heart. “But you can be married in here. Dolius, you can’t let this promise of happiness slip through your fingers.”
With a gulp, Dolius finally nods. Thank fucking hell.
“Can you watch my booth for a moment?” he asks me, not taking his eyes off Cyrus.
“Of course.”
Dolius walks over to Cyrus. They’re far away enough to where I can’t make out the words they’re saying, but I don’t need to.
Cyrus gazes at Dolius with such awe and affection.
Then Dolius strokes the other man’s cheek, and tears well in Cyrus’s eyes.
The two rest their foreheads together for a moment, and when they pull back, it’s to give each other a sweet kiss.
Until this moment, none of the love-related quests has moved me. This, though? This is different.
My heart beats fast enough to feel like it might just fly out of my chest up to the heavens. I sniff back the tears that beg to escape the corners of my eyes. I’m just so happy for them. Dolius deserves this. Cyrus, too.
I lift my staff just an inch and whisper, “Near Future Vision.” It’s probably not what the spell is for. I should use it as an advantage for quests that require strategy, but I want to use it right now. This is important to me.
The world around me disappears as a swirling mass of stars surrounds me.
A moment is projected before me, looking just like I’m sitting in a movie theater.
Dolius and Cyrus snuggle against each other and hold hands by a campfire built between their two carriages.
Something is bubbling in a pot over the flames, and they watch it with smiles on their faces.
Dolius is the first to turn his attention from the dinner that’s cooking.
“Cyrus,” he says, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Cyrus replies in an awed whisper.
Their lips meet, gently at first and then passionately. It’s long and beautiful. I think about exiting the vision so that I don’t intrude on their privacy, though I’m not sure how to do it. While I search my menu for a way to end the spell, I hear Dolius say, “Let’s spend forever together.”
Finally, I find an X in the top right corner of my UI next to “Concentration Spell.” I tap it and, with a swirl, I’m back in the market.
Dolius is back now, too. “Thank you,” he says. “Thank you so much.”
“I need to go,” I tell him. “Do you have this on your own?”
“Please, go,” he says firmly. “You may be good at love, but you’re terrible at sales.”
With a chuckle, I walk away and wave at him. I hear a ping and see that my quest is finally complete. Then another quest pops up, my main quest: Rescue Princess Idaea.
“Here we go,” I say. “Time to find my friends and save a damsel in distress!”